Guy Whittingham retains the belief a solution to Pompey’s ownership battle can be struck next month.
The caretaker boss is remaining upbeat amid more gloomy times for Blues followers.
Last week the Football League reiterated their stance over a 10-point deduction, while the High Court case with Portpin was adjourned.
The new hearing is pencilled in for January 15, although a deal could conceivably be struck before then.
In the meantime, Whittingham has a busy Christmas fixture list to plan for – as well as the prospect of a player exodus next month.
But he insists he and assistant Andy Awford are keeping positive over what the future holds for the football club.
He said: ‘A lot depends on the next three or four weeks and the direction it goes.
‘There are a lot of people out there who are positive – and I’m one of those.
‘People can see I am and so is Awfs and the rest of the staff.
‘We keep believing this is going to come off for us because there are a lot of people willing it to and working hard to make that happen.
‘And the players’ performances are good enough to suggest it isn’t affecting them or creeping into their performance.
‘Every game you want to win.
‘We went to Tranmere, Coventry and Preston with a plan to win the game.
‘It didn’t come off Saturday but we will go to Hartlepool trying to do the same.
‘You can call them must wins but we want to win every game anyway.’
Pompey travel to rock-bottom Hartlepool this weekend.
Whittingham’s men are currently in the League One relegation zone – one point from safety.
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